Help what to do with my sour dough starter?!

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

Someone very kindly gave me a starter. My fridge is small so couldn't fit the jar in - so put it in the garden - is this ok??

Do I need to feed it? How do it do that??

Help me please wise Mumsnetters...

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

Anyone....?

[MuchasSmoochas]

It needs to be kept warm or it will die! At least 20 degrees. My house is cold do kept it in oven with light on. Are you feeding it?

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

Oh gosh I was told to keep it the fridge!

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

How do you know if it's died????

[SoupDragon]

I've just googled and Paul Hollywood says you can put it in the fridge to slow the activity down if you're not usuing it every day.

[MooseBeTimeForSnow]

A lot of explanation in here. It’s like a little pet - you need to feed it regularly

www.rivercottage.net/news/river-cottage-sourdough

[Thecatisboss]

I keep mine in the fridge then a couple of days before i want to use it i take it out. Leave it out overnight, discard some, then feed it, give it 24 hours then discard/use some of the starter to add flavour to something (King Arthur flour website has some goid ideas - love their cinnamon and raisin buns!) and feed it again. I then use it to make loaves etc.

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

I was given it a couple of weeks ago - just watched a youtube video about reviving it - I think it has "Hooch" on top :-000

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

Thanks for the link Moose :-)

[NoDeedYet]

I think you should bring it in from the garden! You don’t need to keep much starter, so a small jar in the fridge shouldn’t take up too much space. There is a FB group called Sourdough Nation that will help out with recipes and advice. It does take a good few attempts to get a really great loaf, but worth the effort!

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

Right poured the hooch off and it seemed ok underneath. Have brought it in and fed it. How many times should I need to feed it before I can bake with it?

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

It was a 5 year old starter that someone gave me so don't really want to start all over again!

Thanks for the FB group will check it out

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

The HFW page looks really useful too